Resource management in the Windward Plains requires a strategic approach that goes beyond simply swinging a Great Sword or aiming a Bowgun. As the ecosystem of Monster Hunter Wilds evolves, especially as players reach the mid-to-late game stages around Chapter 4, the necessity for passive item accumulation becomes a cornerstone of successful hunting. Among the various residents of Kunafa, Windsong Village, one NPC stands out for his ability to streamline your crafting loops: Murtabak.

Murtabak serves as a Material Retrieval specialist, a role that allows hunters to focus on the thrill of the hunt while basic and rare resources are gathered in the background. Understanding how to unlock his services and maximize the yield of his gathering expeditions is essential for anyone looking to craft high-tier gear, particularly the fan-favorite Death Stench armor set, which relies heavily on materials only he can reliably source.

Locating Murtabak in Kunafa

Kunafa, the Windsong Village, serves as the primary hub within the Windward Plains. It is a location defined by its windswept architecture and its proximity to the harsh, shifting sands of the plains. Murtabak is a human resident of this village. Under normal conditions, he can be found walking near the residential areas or standing close to the local gathering spots within the village perimeter.

Identifying him is straightforward once his services are available, as a specific icon will appear over his head and on the map. However, it is important to note that NPC availability in Kunafa can be influenced by the time of day and the prevailing weather conditions. During the "Plenty" weather phase—characterized by clear skies and abundant local flora—Murtabak is most active outdoors. If the region is experiencing a "Fallow" period or a sandstorm, you may find him seeking shelter, though he remains accessible for dialogue to progress his specific questlines.

The Path to Unlocking Material Retrieval

You cannot access Murtabak’s services immediately upon arriving at the Windward Plains. Access is gated behind story progression and a specific side quest that tests your readiness for the region's more troublesome inhabitants.

Step 1: Reach Chapter 4

First, you must progress the main storyline until you complete the mission "New Ecosystems." This marks the transition where the Guild begins to establish a more permanent presence in the Scarlet Forest and expands its operations in the Windward Plains. At this point, several new side missions will populate in your log.

Step 2: "Beware the Gypceros"

Once the story reaches the appropriate milestone, seek out an NPC named Za Toh in Kunafa. Za Toh will provide the quest titled "Beware the Gypceros." This is a High Rank hunt that requires you to track and eliminate a Gypceros within the Windward Plains. The Gypceros is notorious for its ability to flash-stun hunters with its head crest and its persistent poison spit.

Successfully completing this hunt satisfies Murtabak’s concerns about the safety of the local gathering routes. Upon returning to the village and speaking with him, you will receive a notification that Murtabak is now available for Material Retrieval. You will also receive rewards such as Sharp Kunafa Cheese and Carbalite Ore, which are useful for early High Rank cooking and smithing.

How the Material Retrieval System Works

Once unlocked, Murtabak doesn't just hand you items for free. He operates through the Village Intermediary system, managed by Nata. Nata is the young NPC usually found sitting by the hunter’s tent in base camps. This design choice is a significant quality-of-life improvement, as it means you do not have to travel back to Kunafa every time you want to manage your gathering requests; you can handle everything from any field camp.

Setting the Request

When you speak to Nata and select "Material Retrieval," you can choose which NPC will handle the gathering. Selecting Murtabak opens his specific list of gatherable items. You can set him to target specific resources or allow him to gather a general variety.

Understanding the Star Ratings

The interface displays star ratings (half-star to three stars) next to each item. These ratings represent the probability of the item being successfully retrieved after a certain number of quests:

  • Half-Star: Extremely rare. You will need multiple cycles and perhaps some luck-boosting food skills.
  • One Star: Low yield. Expect one or two units occasionally.
  • Two Stars: Reliable yield. A consistent source of items.
  • Three Stars: High yield. The item will be gathered in large quantities almost every time.

Weather Impact: Plenty vs. Fallow

The environment of the Windward Plains is dynamic. During the "Plenty" phase, Murtabak’s gathering efficiency increases, and the star ratings for rare items may improve. Conversely, during the "Fallow" or "Inclemency" periods, the yields might drop. You can manipulate these cycles at the tent by resting, though changing the weather specifically can sometimes cost Guild Points.

The Quest for Sinister Cloth

For many veteran hunters, the primary reason to engage with Murtabak is the Sinister Cloth. This rarity-6 material is described as a suspicious cloth found in the Windward Plains that drips with an aura of pure evil. It is not found by mining ore or carving monsters; it is an exclusive reward from the Material Retrieval system.

Farming Strategy for Sinister Cloth

Sinister Cloth has a low baseline retrieval rate. To optimize your chances of obtaining it, you should ensure that Murtabak is always active. After every two or three major hunts, check back with Nata at the camp to collect the accumulated materials. Even if the cloth doesn't drop, the other materials gathered (like Dragonfell Berries or Thunderbug Capacitors) are vital for crafting high-level consumables.

The Death Stench Armor Set

Sinister Cloth is the key ingredient for the Death Stench Alpha and Beta armor sets. This set is iconic for its grim, reaper-like appearance and its focus on offensive skills such as Handicraft and Protective Polish. In the current 2026 meta of Monster Hunter Wilds, the Death Stench Grip Alpha is often used in mixed sets for its high slot efficiency and the way it complements weapons with short purple sharpness gauges. To craft the full set, including the Palico's "Felyne Death Gear," you will need approximately five to seven pieces of Sinister Cloth, making Murtabak’s consistent deployment a priority.

The "Continuing Conflict" Side Mission

Beyond simple gathering, Murtabak plays a crucial role in unlocking the endgame "Great Hunt" feature for the Windward Plains locale. After you have used his services for a while and progressed further into High Rank, Murtabak will offer a side mission titled "Continuing Conflict."

The Objective

Murtabak has observed a territorial dispute between a Que Matrice and a Rathian that has lasted for days. This constant fighting is disrupting the ecosystem and making his gathering routes too dangerous. He tasks you with intervening and ending the fight by hunting both monsters.

Combat Tips for "Continuing Conflict"

  • Que Matrice: This Bird Wyvern uses its tail like a flute to call for reinforcements and can emit powerful sound waves. Earplugs level 3 or higher are recommended to prevent being stunned during its performances. Focus on breaking the tail to limit its acoustic range.
  • Rathian: The "Queen of the Land" remains a threat with her somersault poison tail swipe and fireballs. Since you are fighting two monsters, carry Dung Pods to separate them if they enter the same zone, as their territorial brawls can cause significant collateral damage to the player.

Rewards and Unlocks

Completing "Continuing Conflict" is highly rewarding. You will receive:

  • Great Hunt - Windward Plains Unlock: This allows you to participate in multi-monster hunts in the region via field surveys and investigations, which is the best way to farm high-end decorations and Artian armor parts.
  • Sharp Kunafa Cheese x3: A rare canteen ingredient.
  • Thunderbug Capacitor x20: Essential for crafting Shock Traps and specialized Bowgun ammo.
  • 300 Guild Points.

Murtabak’s Material List and Their Uses

To help you decide when to prioritize Murtabak over other retrievers like Plum Peach or Sabar, here is a breakdown of the items he can find and why they matter for your inventory:

  1. Honey: The foundation of all Mega Potions. While common, having a passive income of Honey ensures you never run out during grueling multi-monster hunts.
  2. Nitroshroom & Fire Herb: Essential for crafting Power Coating for Bows and Mega Barrel Bombs. For hunters who favor explosive playstyles, Murtabak is a reliable supplier.
  3. Thunderbug Capacitor: A localized version of the standard Thunderbug. It is used for Shock Traps and provides the necessary charge for certain electrical weapon upgrades.
  4. Dragonfell Berry: Primarily used for Dragon-elemental ammunition and coatings. Since many late-game Elder Dragons are weak to Dragon, having a stockpile is vital.
  5. Sleep Herb: Useful for tranquilizers and sleep-inducing weapon coatings. If your strategy involves "Sleep Bombing," Murtabak is your go-to NPC.
  6. Blastnut: The core ingredient for Level 2 and Level 3 Sticky Ammo. Light Bowgun and Heavy Bowgun users should always have Murtabak gathering these to maintain their ammo economy.

Efficient Resource Management in 2026

As we look at the current state of Monster Hunter Wilds in April 2026, the game's economy has shifted toward high-volume consumption of specialized items. With the introduction of the latest Tempered and Arch-Tempered threats in recent seasonal updates, the demand for Max Potions and Ancient Potions has never been higher.

The Nata-Murtabak Loop

To maximize efficiency, integrate the following loop into your playstyle:

  1. Prepare: Before leaving Kunafa or a Base Camp, talk to Nata. Set Murtabak to retrieve "Blastnuts" or "Sinister Cloth" (if you still need the armor).
  2. Hunt: Complete a set of three investigations or one Great Hunt. This provides enough "in-game time" for the retrieval to complete.
  3. Collect: Return to the tent. You don't even need to go back to Kunafa. Collect the items from Nata.
  4. Check Weather: If you see the "Plenty" weather icon for the Windward Plains on the world map, consider doing a quick expedition. The increased gathering rates during this time also apply to Murtabak’s background efforts.

A Note on Guild Points

If you find yourself lacking Sinister Cloth, you can use Guild Points at the Canteen or the Village Intermediary to purchase "Lucky Vouchers." Using a voucher on a quest doesn't directly increase Murtabak’s drop rate, but it increases the overall reward pool of the quest you are doing, and some players suggest that maintaining a high "Luck" stat through food skills (like Felyne Lucky Cat) can indirectly favor the RNG for rare retrieval items.

Conclusion

Murtabak is far more than just a background NPC in Kunafa. He is a vital link in the hunter's progression chain, providing the necessary materials for both survival and high-end gear customization. By completing "Beware the Gypceros" and utilizing the Material Retrieval system via Nata, you can ensure that your item box is always stocked with the essentials, from Honey to the elusive Sinister Cloth.

Whether you are aiming to complete the iconic Death Stench armor set or simply looking to unlock the Great Hunt feature in the Windward Plains, Murtabak is an ally you cannot afford to ignore. Keep an eye on the weather, manage your requests through Nata, and the riches of the desert will be yours to command.